Improvement in cigars



G. R.' BECKER. Cigar.

No. 220,114. Patented Sept. 30,1879.

@ZM um UNITEE STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CHARLES R. BECKER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN CIGARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220, l I4, dated September 30, 1879; application filed February 6, 1879.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. BECKER, of Baltimore, in the county ot' Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cigars, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a metallic cap for attachment in a novel manner to the mouth end of a cigar; and further relates to the conibination, with a cap rigidly attached to the mouth end of a ci gar, of a detachable piu passed through the cap and penetrating the cud of cigar.

The invention will first be described, and then specifically designated in the claims.

Figure l is a view of a cigar having a pin passed through the cap. Fig. 2 is'a section of same. Fig. 3 is a view of a cigar in which slots are shown in the cap. Fig. 4 is a view vof a cap having two grooves. Fig. 5 is a view having one groove near the tip end. Fig. 6 is a view of the pin.

A represents the cigar, which is ot' ordinary shape and construction. b is the cap, preferably cone-shaped; but it may be ot any desirable shape and of suitable thin metal, which may be stamped up by dies, spun, or otherwise formed into shape to tit on the head or mouth end of the cigar, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When the eigaris manufactured, and preferably while yet in the green condition-that is, unseasoned-this cap is adjusted on the end, and is secured to its place by compressing the metal with a suitable tool having handles and operated like a pair of scissors, and which is provided on the ends opposite the handles with semicircular clamping-jaws, which, when brought together, form an annular groove, c, which is embedded or pressed into the cigar.

The cap should be made of a soft metal, preferably au alloy containing tin, and will readily admit of this compressing operation by use of a suitable tool.

If desired,a second annular groove, e, may be formed in the cap, as shown in Fig. 4, in which the teeth may be set, whereby the cigar may he securely retained in the mouth.

In the end or apex of the cap is a hole, f, through which, after the cap has been secured to the cigar, a pin, h, passes and pierces into the end of the cigar. This pin may be provided with a head or not, and both cap and pin are affixed to their positions while the cigar is in the green state, and thus provided the cigars are packed in boxes for seasoning and sale, as usual, and the cigar is to be sold to the consumer with these appendages. The pin remaining in the cigar while the latter seasons insures a longitudinal perforation in direct connection with the hole in the cap, and its withdrawal when the cigar is about to be smoked is all that is necessary to enable the cap to be employed as a mouth-piece without being disturbed or mutilated.

By the construction described and manner of securing the cap, the slots may be omitted, or the hole in the end and pin may be dispensed with, 0r both these features may be omitted, and a simple cap without any hole secured by the compressed groove.

I am aware that mouth-pieces have been constructed of elastic or yielding material, (such as rubber,) and provided with internal projections or corrugations whereby to clasp or securely hold the cigar, and also that caps `made of paper or similar material have had their exterior provided with a groove, over which the wrapper of cigar is placed and secured by a string passed around the wrapper and groove, and I do not claim either of these devices.

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesl. As an article of manufacture, a cigarprovided on the mouth end with acap secured by compressing it in the form of au annular groove, as set forth.

2. A cigar provided on the mouth end with a cap secured thereto, and having a detachable pin passed through the cap and penetrat ing the end of the cigar, as and for the purpose set forth.

CHAs. R. BECKER.

Witnesses CHAs. B. MANN, J. MoRToN GALE. 

